This is the true story of a child born to a nineteen year old unwed mother. Placed lovingly for adoption, he is instead thrust into the quagmire of the Michigan foster care system. "Stability" would be a word found in a dictionary, not in daily life, as he is moved fourteen times in eleven years. He is finally rescued and given a "home" at Boys Town. At eighteen, cast into the world of the unknown, without anyone or anyplace to call home, he goes forth with only hope and determination. Growing into adulthood, he searches for birth parents, an unknown heritage and sexual identity. Discovery of "true self" enables him to confront and overcome brutal and emotionally damaging realities from childhood which can no longer stay buried deep within his memory. This is the story of his difficult life battle, but more importantly, his ultimate victory...healing!

The pictures on the cover above are of the author at age one-one half and of the day he arrived at Boys Town at age eleven.

BOOK DEDICATION
This book is dedicated to those who influenced it's creation:

The many birth family members and their heritage which I was never privileged to get to know in their lifetime.

Ms. Genevieve Condon, Mr. Clarence Weinerth and Msgr. Nicholas H. Wegner: Boys Town teachers and the late former Executive Director of Boys Town who took it upon themselves to take a young man under siege in his life and teach him to reach for his fullest potential.

Ann Piechowiak: who prodded and encouraged me to share my story and got her family to do the same thing. She also remained steadfast in her support throughout the project.

Carol Goulet: second cousin, without whose editing expertise this book would not be possible!